Not So Merry Movies: North Dakota’s Favorite Anti-Christmas Flicks

Here are the top three:

#1. Gremlins (1984)

Claiming the top spot, Gremlins is a perfect blend of holiday spirit and chaotic mischief. The story begins with Billy receiving an adorable Mogwai named Gizmo as a Christmas gift, along with two simple rules: don’t get it wet and never feed it after midnight. Naturally, both rules are broken, unleashing festive mayhem in the form of destructive, mischievous gremlins.

#2. Krampus (2015)

Coming in second, Krampus puts a sinister spin on Christmas folklore. This horror-comedy brings the mythological figure of Krampus to life. When a family’s Christmas bickering leads to a young boy losing his holiday spirit, Krampus and his terrifying minions descend upon them. Though it has a heartfelt resolution, the journey there is anything but merry.

#3. The Silence of the Lambs (1991)

Rounding out the top three is the chilling classic The Silence of the Lambs. While it’s as far from festive as it gets, the psychological thriller offers a gripping escape from holiday cheer. Anthony Hopkins and Jodie Foster’s unforgettable performances make this Academy Award-winning film an enduring favorite.

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Honorable Mentions: More Anti-Christmas Favorites

For North Dakotans seeking to avoid holiday clichés entirely, here are seven more movies guaranteed to replace cheer with chills:

• #4. The Shining (1980)
• #5. A Nightmare on Elm Street (1984)
• #6. Black Christmas (1974)
• #7. Friday the 13th (1980)
• #8. Psycho (1960)
• #9. The Texas Chainsaw Massacre (1974)
• #10. The Exorcist (1973)

Overplayed Christmas Movies: A Holiday Rut

The survey also revealed that North Dakotans are feeling the fatigue from certain holiday staples. Leading the list of overplayed Christmas movies is Home Alone (26%), followed by A Christmas Story (24%), Elf (19%), It’s a Wonderful Life (19%), and The Polar Express (11%).

When asked what makes classic Christmas movies tiresome, respondents highlighted the following:

• 34%: The same movies air every year.
• 28%: Predictable storylines.
• 23%: Over-the-top cheeriness.
• 15%: Lack of variety in themes.

Despite these grievances, North Dakotans still grab their snacks, settle in, indulge in holiday movie marathons, with the average longest uninterrupted binge clocking in at nearly five hours.